Taking a turn at third

Shortstop prospect Bogaerts makes shift

Scott LauberWednesday, February 20, 2013

Credit: Matthew West

CATCHING UP: Former Sox catcher Jason Varitek works with backup David Ross during a recent workout in Fort Myers.

FORT MYERS — At 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds, Xander Bogaerts could be the body double for Manny Machado, the former shortstop prospect who broke into the majors last season as a third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles.

Could Bogaerts be in line for a similar position switch?

Bogaerts, a 20-year-old shortstop and the Red Sox’ top prospect, will play third base for the Netherlands in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. In preparation for the tournament, he took grounders at third yesterday and will play third tomorrow in the Sox’ seven-inning exhibition against Boston College.

“Third base, I think the ball comes faster at you,” Bogaerts said. “But infield is infield. It’s going to be fun. I’m working hard staying at shortstop, but I don’t have a problem with it.”

In the long term, the Sox still believe Bogaerts can stay at shortstop despite his size. After all, Cal Ripken Jr. played the position for 16 years and won two Gold Gloves even though he’s 6-4. Derek Jeter is entering his 19th season at shortstop and hasn’t been affected by his 6-3 frame.

The Orioles only moved Machado to third because they had a need at the position last season. However, by exposing him to the new position during spring training, they minimized his adjustment once he reached the majors.

“He’s an infielder. He’s got a lot of natural ability and instincts (at third),” he said. “As a young guy, you don’t know how that body type is going to continue to mature physically. But by all indications, it seems like he can stay at shortstop.”

Catching tandem

Although Jarrod Saltalamacchia still is slated to enter the season as the “lead catcher,” according to Farrell, the Red Sox also intend to give backup David Ross substantial playing time, especially against left-handed pitchers.

“I want to be careful not outlining a platoon,” Farrell said. “But we know we’ve got a very capable No. 2 guy. We’ve always viewed the catching position as a two-man situation, knowing that there would be a lead guy and that would be Salty. We’re fortunate to have the flexibility and the addition of Ross. I can’t see a drastic reduction in at-bats from Salty.”

A switch hitter, Saltalamacchia hit all but one of his career-high 25 homers last season against right-handed pitchers.

Also, special assistant Jason Varitek returned to camp yesterday to work with the catchers. . . .

As expected, first baseman Mike Napoli and designated hitter David Ortiz won’t play in the first few spring training games as they recover from hip and Achilles injuries, respectively. Napoli began fielding drills this week, while Ortiz is hitting and fielding but has not been cleared to run the bases.

Both are expected to be ready well before Opening Day.

First pitch

Farrell said Monday he isn’t ready to name the Opening Day starter. But all signs point to Jon Lester taking the ball in the season opener for a third consecutive year.

Lester will make his first spring training start Sunday in Jupiter, Fla., against the Cardinals. Extrapolating the schedule, and figuring that Farrell said he would like each starter to make seven starts in spring training, Lester would be in line to pitch the season opener April 1 at Yankee Stadium. . . .

Former Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield will meet the team on Monday in Dunedin, Fla., where he will watch knuckleballer Steven Wright in a game against the Blue Jays. Wakefield is expected to work with Wright throughout next week.

On a slow mend

Lefty reliever Craig Breslow has been healthy throughout his seven-year major league career, so last week’s revelation that he has been dealing with irritation in his left shoulder was at least somewhat unnerving.

“I think the concerns for me are that this is all very foreign to me,” Breslow said. “I wasn’t feeling great and it was kind of early, but with every day that goes by, we’re one step away from it still being early.”

Farrell said word from the training room is that Breslow has “plateaued.”

He has not yet thrown a full-fledged bullpen session, to say nothing of facing hitters in live batting practice. But spring training is longer than usual this year because of the World Baseball Classic, and Breslow believes he still has enough time to be ready for Opening Day.

One assurance Breslow received from the training staff: The shoulder issue isn’t a result of slacking off in his offseason workouts. A resident of Trumbull, Conn., he went through his typical routine this year, working out with fellow reliever Andrew Bailey.

“My concern, and they were very clear, is that this is not a result of a lapse in offseason condition or working out or anything like that,” Breslow said. “Potentially, coming down here, getting outside for the first time and being in a more competitive atmosphere, maybe I just tried to ramp up things pretty quickly.” . . .

Farrell said right-hander Rubby De La Rosa will be limited to two-inning stints throughout spring training in order to ease him back from Tommy John elbow surgery. Acquired as part of the August megatrade with the Dodgers, De La Rosa pitched only 132⁄3 innings last season.